Ongoing humanitarian crisis in Tigray: Conflict, Starvation, and Displacement

The conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia, has led to a severe humanitarian crisis marked by genocide, famine, and mass displacement. Despite the signing of a Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) in November 2022, the situation remains unstable, with ongoing human rights abuses, restricted humanitarian aid, and the continued occupation of Tigrayan territories.

Recent remarks by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have heightened concerns over ongoing atrocities, signalling a disregard for peace efforts. Meanwhile, internal divisions within Tigray’s leadership have led to political paralysis, exacerbating civilian suffering and further eroding trust in governance.

The Ethiopian government has been accused of deliberately using starvation as a weapon against Tigrayans by blocking humanitarian aid and downplaying reports of famine. Over 4.4 million people remain displaced, many unable to return home due to continued occupation. Reports indicate that nearly half (49.3%) of deaths in Tigray are caused by starvation, with malnutrition among children reaching alarming levels.

Humanitarian aid remains severely restricted due to ongoing conflict, bureaucratic obstacles, and the Ethiopian government's lack of cooperation. The number of people receiving food assistance has sharply declined, with less than half of those in need getting aid. The situation has worsened with the withdrawal of international support, including funding cuts from USAID.

Eritrean and Amhara forces continue to occupy significant parts of Tigray, preventing displaced residents from returning home. Reports of ethnic cleansing, extrajudicial killings, and sexual violence persist, making repatriation efforts nearly impossible. Overcrowded camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in cities like Mekelle, Shire, and Adigrat struggle with starvation and disease.

The war has devastated Tigray’s healthcare infrastructure, with 80% of health posts, 73% of health centres, and all specialized hospitals damaged. Despite promises under the CoHA, health services remain largely nonfunctional, leading to preventable deaths. Additionally, many healthcare workers have gone unpaid, forcing them to resign and further weakening the medical system.

Tigrayan women and girls have suffered systematic sexual violence, including forced impregnation and brutal assaults by Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Amhara forces. Survivors receive little to no medical or psychological support, while perpetrators continue to act with impunity due to a lack of accountability.

Political instability within Tigray hampers recovery efforts. The CoHA has seen little implementation, with no significant progress on humanitarian aid access, service restoration, or the withdrawal of occupying forces. Internal divisions between the Tigray Interim Administration and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) further weaken governance, prolonging civilian suffering.

The Horn of Africa remains a region of instability, with conflicts in Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia threatening regional security. Ethiopia’s pursuit of port access, ongoing tensions with Eritrea, and shifting international alliances—such as the Egypt-Somalia-Eritrea partnership—risk further escalating instability.

Urgent international intervention is needed to address the humanitarian crisis in Tigray, ensure the withdrawal of occupying forces, and restore essential services. Without swift action, millions of lives remain at risk, and the region’s stability will continue to deteriorate.